IPL Auction 2020: 5 most sought players by teams

With the trading window officially over for the next edition of the Indian Premier League, franchises would be eagerly awaiting the player auctions which is scheduled to be held on December 19 at Kolkata to strengthen their squad for IPL 2020.

While some releases by teams were on expected lines, there were few that raised eyebrows and we have to wait and see if those were purely because of high price tag or change in strategy.

The two most successful IPL teams, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, have not changed their core too much and that is one of the reasons why they have been consistent with their performances over the years.

On the other hand, sides like Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, have released quite a lot of players in order to re-stratagise their options ahead of the next edition of the league. These teams will be busy at the auction table next month.

Here is a list of five players who could be hot properties when the hammer goes down and also let’s look at the teams that might go after them.

Also see – World Test Championship points table

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#1 Chris Lynn

Chris Lynn.

The Australian hard-hitting batsman was one of the surprise releases by KKR ahead of the player auctions. We will have to wait and see if the franchise released in a hope to buy him at a lower price at the auctions or looking for an alternate at the top of the order.

The one team that will look to go hard after Chris Lynn will be Royal Challengers Bangalore. Over the years, the Virat Kohli led side have had a struggle at the top of the order to inject some momentum and more often the pressure is way too much on the captain to do the same.

The Chinnaswamy Stadium is a place where high percentage of sixes are scored because of the altitude and Lynn is known to hit big sixes. RCB might look to bag the Australian even if he commands a high price tag.

#2 Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa.

Bought in 2014 by Kolkata Knight Riders, Robin Uthappa went on to win the Orange Cap for most number of runs and also helped them win the title for second time. One of the batting mainstays for KKR over the past five years, Uthappa has been released by the franchise after a disappointing season with the bat.

The right handed batsman from Karnataka is 34 but could yet be an important player in this format. The fact that he is an Indian player will ensure franchises go after the experienced batsman in the player auctions.

The team that will most likely go after Uthappa would be Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Orange Army’s Achilles Heel over the years has been their inexperienced Indian batsmen and Uthappa could fit in quite nicely in the batting line up to follow the explosive opening combination of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow.

RCB might be the other side that will look to get the services of Robin Uthappa, who hails from Bangalore and are also looking to bolster their batting.

#3 Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis.

Another heavy hitting Australian batsman, Marcus Stoinis was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the IPL 2020 edition. The all-rounder has not been able to replicate the same kind of success in the league that he has while playing for Australia.

Having said that, Stoinis could still be a very good pick as he sends down few useful overs too and picks crucial wickets to go with explosive hitting. Even though he might not be consistent with the bat, few match turning knocks is what teams would expect of him.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have released three all-rounders in Deepak Hooda, Shakib Al Hasan and Yusuf Pathan. So, Marcus Stoinis could be their ideal replacement as they would need some firepower at the back end of the innings.

Delhi Capitals is another side who could show interest in buying the Australian all-rounder. While they have a strong and solid Indian top order, Marcus Stoinis could provide them with useful runs at the death.

#4 Adam Milne

Adam Milne.

The tearaway New Zealand quick was released by defending champions Mumbai Indians as they have two overseas fast bowling options in Lasith Malinga and Mitchell McClenaghan. Milne had to pull out of IPL 2019 because of injury and could very well be in demand for next year’s edition.

The Kiwi speedster has a very good record in T20s, taking 116 wickets in 93 outings at an even impressive strike rate of 17.4.

Adam Milne is very quick and is surely a wicket taking option for captains looking to break partnerships. Royal Challengers Bangalore’s biggest problems over the years has been their bowling especially wicket takers and Adam Milne could very well be on their radar at the player auctions.

The other team that could look at roping in Adam Milne is Kings XI Punjab. Having released Andrew Tye from their team, Kings would want a good new ball bowler to partner India’s Mohammad Shami.

#5 Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc.

Mitchell Starc is considered as one of the best white ball bowlers in the world at the moment but constant injuries has meant that the tall left-armer has not been playing consistently in the league since 2016. This year though, he looks fit and will be available at the player auctions.

Mitchell Starc’s ability to bowl wicket taking deliveries at any stage of the game is a captains’ delight especially at the death when he can nail those fast yorkers at will.

Even though he parted ways with RCB in 2017, the Bangalore side might want to get back the Australian this time around. RCB’s team, which revolves mainly around batting might want to strengthen their bowling resources if they have to do well in the league.

The other side that would want to buy Starc is KKR. Dinesh Karthik’s side has a very inexperienced fast bowling attack and it was clearly exposed during IPL 2019. With the Eden Gardens pitch offering a lot of pace and bounce from last year, Starc could be a handful for opposition teams.